An early variety of dwarf French bean that's earned its popularity with veg growers by cropping weeks before other types, especially if started under the protection of cloches. The bushy plants grow to about 40cm and are self-supporting and sturdy, producing a prolific harvest of elegant stringless, pencil-podded beans around 15cm long pale green with purple speckles and an excellent flavour.

Growing Instructions:Sow three seeds to a 10cm pot in late spring in a greenhouse or on a sunny windowsill. Pot seedlings on individually as they grow and harden off carefully to plant out once all threat of frost has passed. Later in the season can be sown direct allowing 20cm between plants: protect against mice and slugs. Put a thick layer of holly prunings over direct-sown seeds to deter mice: remove as soon as the seedlings appear.